Fire Service Gains National Recognition For Commitment To Equality and Diversity

Alyson Hall, Head of Human Resources (GMFRS), Prof Gus John, Anita Wainwright, Director of Human Resources (GMFRS), Barry Dixon, County Fire Officer (GMFRS)

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Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have gained national recognition for its commitment to equality and diversity. The Service has been awarded an Equality Mark Silver Certificate at the Equality Mark Awards organised by the Centre for Local Policy Studies at Edge Hill University, an organisation at the forefront of improving policy and practice in the public sector.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service achieved level 3 of the Equality Mark, highlighting its achievements in promoting fairness in its policies and practices. The Equality Mark is awarded to organisations following a rigorous assessment and validation process. The system involves a detailed review of the organisation's policies and systems with extensive interviews with managers, staff and other local organisations. The award shows that the Service is making real progress in its commitment to deliver fair employment practices and service delivery.

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said, "We are extremely pleased to have our efforts to promote equality and diversity recognised by this prestigious award. Greater Manchester is a wonderfully diverse place and promoting equality and diversity is a key priority. Our work in communities has helped us to spread the message in that our Service is a great place to work, with excellent career opportunities for everyone."

The Equality Mark was established in 2007 to provide a framework to support the development of fair practises in employment and public services, and to support the Equality Standard for Local Government providing a way of measuring and rewarding achievement. Although the scheme was set up to support local government organisations it is being developed to operate across public services to provide a common system for recognising achievement.

Fire Authority Chairman Councillor Shannon said, “The Elected Members of the Fire Authority are delighted that our service has achieved this award. Having a service that represents all areas of our communities is essential to getting our safety messages and services to all residents of Greater Manchester. A number of initiatives aimed at meeting the diverse needs of the communities of Greater Manchester were highlighted as notable good practice by the assessment”.

Councillor Paul Ankers Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire Authorities Equality and Diversity Overview Group said, "Our community focused work has reaped many benefits including increasing our appeal to all members of the community. This appeal is assisting us to have a diverse workforce which will help us communicate more effectively with the wide range of communities we engage with in our area."

In addition, another five fire and rescue services also achieved the level 3 award: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The awards were presented by Professor Gus John, a leading authority in equality and diversity.